Tough scoring at Augusta

Augusta, GA (Sports Network) - Some morning rain rolled through Augusta
National on Friday and, coupled with a freshening breeze, made scoring
conditions more difficult so far in the second round of the 77th Masters.

With sixty-nine players on the course, just nine of them are in red figures.
Paul Lawrie, the 1999 British Open champion, and Nick Watney led the way at
minus-3 for the day. Lawrie was through 15 holes, and Watney 13 of his second
round.

Steve Stricker was 2-under after 13 holes, while Thorbjorn Olesen, in the
first group out, carded a 2-under 70.

The remainder of those in red figures were just 1-under par for the day.

With just one group finished, the scoring average is projected to rise by
nearly a half stroke. In Thursday's opening, the field averaged 73.05. The
second round average to this point is 73.48, and is expected to climb with the
breeze blowing.

There has already been one 77 posted today by John Merrick, and there were
five other players on the course at 5-over par or worse for their round.